Coffee pot



EJB. MOORE COFFEE POT July 31,1951

Filed Dec. 15,1947

3 Sheets-Sheet l juy 31, 1951 E, B, MOORE 2,562,433

COFFEE POT Filed Dec. l5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 31, 195i E. B. MOORE 2,552,433

COFFEE POT Filed Dec. 15, 1947 3 sheets-sheet s coffee pot can remain closedl during such designed to rest on the bottom Patented .uy 31, AQS' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COFFEE POT Emmett B. Moore, Evanston, Ill.

Application December 151, 1947 Serial N o. 791,679

1 Claim.

This invention relates to coffee pots. An object of the present invention is theprovision of a coiee pot by the use of which more v rapid brewing of the coffee is accomplished than in former types of conce pots.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel coffee pot in which the coffee begins to brew immediately upon application of rf:

neat' Vto the coffee pot,-and continues tobrew tainer therefor, in which the grounds container can be immersed in the water and removed therefrom and retained above the water. Y

Another object is the provision of a coffee pot having such a grounds container and novel means by which the container can be immersed in and removed from the water in the pot; an operating means extends out of the pot, whereby the operations.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a coffee pot in which coffee can be brewed during the heating process of the water, during which time the escape of vapors is substantially less than after the wateris heated, whereby the loss of aroma and beverage value is retained at a minimum, as contrastedwith brewing the coiee only after the water is boiling.

The grounds container of the coffee pot is ofthe vpot during the cooking process.

Y Still another object is the provision of alcoffee pot including aA grounds container which'can be immersed in the water in the pot, in which circulation of water through the grounds in the container at a maximum rate is produced.

Another object of the invention is the provision o f such a 'groundscontainer which, when raised out of the water in the pot, will carry out any grounds that may be suspendedv in the water.

With theseand other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, varrangeline 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken online 3-'3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 Ais a horizontal sectional view taken yon line 4 4 of Figure 2';

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of 'the openings in the lower part of the grounds container;

Figure 6 Yis a Vvertical sectional View of -the upper part of the coffee pot showing a modified form; Y

Figure '7v is a vertical sectional view of a modined form of grounds container;

Figures 8,- 9 and 10 illustrate various positions of the grounds container of thetype illustrated in Figure 2; and Y v Figures 11; 12 andl3'ill-us'trate'various positions of the grounds container to which is applied the modined Yform of device illustrated in Figure 6.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the coffee pot to which the present invention isapplied includes a coffee pot proper or vessel l2 hav-ing the ordinary spout I4 and a handle I6. I-t will be noted that the wall of the vessel l2 is uniform throughout its height without variation in diameter. The upper peripheral rim ofthe vessel !2 may be provided with a bead I8 if desired.

A cover 20 is provided for the vessel and Vhas a depending peripheral flange 22 adapted to be inserted into the upper end of the vessel I2 and have substantial frictio'nal engagement'wth the latter. The cover may be provided fwith the usual bead or circumferential extension '24 to limit the extent to which the flange 22 is' inserted in the vessel.- The cover l250 is formed with a central opening 26 surrounding is a short downturned nange 28. A sleeve 3|) which may be metal is inserted in they opening 2e. The sleeve V3l) has a lower enlarged portion 32 and an upper portion 34 of Areduced outer diameter'forming a shoulder 36. The sleeve'30 is insertedthrough the opening 26 from the underside thereof and is held therein by means of a detent 31 formed in the flange 28 andengageable in a recessin the sleeve. A knob having a central opening 39 is inserted over the upper portion V34 and engages the shoulder 36 which is substantially ush with the top surface of the cover 2U. 'I'he knob 38 maybe of ber or other desired material and is held on the portion 34 in any suitable manner, such as by a press t. The* opening 40 throughthe sleeve S terminates in an enlarged recess 4l at the lower end thereof. e

A grounds container 42 is inserted in the vessel l2 and adapted to rest on the bottom thereof as illustrated in Figure 2 and lto be raised upwardly from that position, as-will be described later. The grounds container 42 for purposes of general ref ierence contains a bottom closure element 44, a top closureY element 45, and a surrounding wall 48;- The bottom closure element 44 may also jbe 4trated in detail in Figure 5.

above the plane of the upper portion 56. `dome portion 50 is provided with a plurality of large holes 68.

tion 50. Surrounding the peripheral portion 54 and extending upwardly therefrom is a raised annular portion 56 which, it will be noted, is also concave with its concave surface directed downwardly. Surrounding the outer marginal edge of the raised portion 56 is a vertical flange 58 and surrounding the lower marginal edge of the flange 58 is a horizontal flange 60 and finally a generally Vertical flange 62 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the horizontal flange 60. The flange 62 may be directly vertical or it may be tapered outwardly downwardly as illustrated in Figure l.

,'Notches 64 are cut in the lower edge of the flange 62 on opposite sides thereof.

When the flange 62 tapers as illustrated in Figure 2, the lower peripheral edge thereof may encompass substantially all of the surface area of jthe bottom of the vessel. If the ange 62 is directly vertical, a slight space must be. provided Y .between the flange and the side wall of the vessel I2.

It will be noted that the flange 62 extends conclosure element 44 is concave with its concave `surface facing downwardly, Thus, a space 68 of considerable extent is provided between the bottom closure element 44 and the bottom of the vessel. The bottom closure element 44 may also be ,described as being upwardly embossed.

The upperannular portion 56 of the bottom closure element 46 is provided with a plurality of holes 68 which will be'termed relatively large holes. The construction of these holes is illus- The holes 68 are formed as by piercing, providing an upwardly extending portion 10 covering a space T2 therebelow. The holes 68 are, therefore, positioned The holes 14 which will be referred to as relatively small holes. i i

holes 82 spaced circumferentially therearound. The holes 62 are approximately the size of the The tubular portion 'I8 may be secured in the central opening 'i6 by any convenient or desired means and is intended to be perinanently secured therein. The tubular portionV 18 also includes an upper reduced diameter portion 84 which may conveniently be formed integral with the lower enlarged portion 80.

The surrounding wall 48, as illustrated in Figure l, is inserted on the lower closure element 44 by sliding it over the vertical flange 58 until the lower edge of the wall engages the horizontal flange 60. The wall 48 may be separable as illustrated, in which case a press t engagement is accomplished to retain the wall semi-permanently on the lower closure element 44. If desired, the wall 48 may be permanently secured to the lower closure element as by soldering or welding. A plurality of holes 81 are formed in the surrounding wall 48 adjacent the lower part thereof and positioned slightly above the upper portion 56 of the lower closure element 44. The

holes 81 are approximately the size of the small holes 14.

The upper closure element 46 includes a main Yhorizontal portion 86 having a central opening and an upturned ange 88 surrounding the central opening. Surrounding the outer edge of the ,bottom of the vessel l2.

of the recess.

thereof.

main portion 86 is a vertical peripheral flange 90,

formed at the top of which is anoutwardly extending horizontal ange 92A and finally surrounding th-e outer marginal edge of the flange 92 is an upwardly extending vertical peripheral flange 94. The top closure element 46 is put in place by inserting the vertical flange 90 in the upper end of the surrounding wall 48 until the horizontal flange 92 engages the top edge of the wall. At the same time, the central opening surrounded by the flange 88 receives the tubular element 18. The top closure element 48 is intended to be frictionally heldinplace in the coffee brewing operation but easilyremoved by the user when grasped by the hand. The horizontal portion 86 of the top closure element 46 is provided witha series of relatively large holes v96 of approximately the size of the holes 68 and a plurality of relatively small holes 98 of approximately thesize of the holes '|4. l

A vertical tube orsleeve |00 is inserted through the tubular element 18 in the container 42 and the lower end thereof is adapted to rest on the The upper end of the sleeve |00 extends into the recess 40 in the sleeve 30 in the cover and engages the upper surface When the cover is placed on the vessel and pressed down into closed position, the cover retains the tube or sleeve |00 in position, both laterally and vertically. The tube or sleeve |00 is provided with a vertical slot |02 opening out of the upper end of the tube and extending downwardly therein into the tubular member 'I8 and terminating slightly above the bottom of the reduced diameter portion 84 of the tubulary element '18.v A rod |64 is inserted in the tube |00 and slidable vertically therein. The rod |04 has a lateral projection |06 formed adjacent the bottom thereof. The projection |06 may be in the form of a pinwinserted in a hole in the rod. .Thepin |06 extends into and slides in the vertical slot |02 and when the pin |06 reaches and engages the bottom of the slot the rod |04 is prevented from sliding further downwardly. When the'rod |04 is at its lowermost position, the lower end of the rod may be spaced upwardly from the bottom of the tube `|00 if desired. The upperend of the rod |04 extends upwardly through the reduced opening 40 in the sleeve 30 and out through the opening in the knob extending a short, distance above the latter. A lug |08 is struck in from the reduced diameter portion Aof the tubular` element 18 and extends into the slot |02 in the tube |00. The lower end of the lug |06 is positioned slightly above the bottom of the slot to provide space for the pin |06. In assembling the device, the rod |04 is inserted in the .tube |00 from the top of the latter and the two together are inserted through the tubular element '|8 from the bottom of the latter until-the pin |06 engages the lug |08, preventing further movement therein.

The side wall of the reduced portion 84 of the tubular element 18 is provided with a slot or cut-out portions ||0 (Figure 4) on opposite Sides A spring member ||2 in the form of a U is inserted in the cut-out portions H0. The spring ||2 is biased `inwardly into friction engagement with the outer surface of the vertical tube |00.

The construction of the device of Figure. 6 is slightly different from that heretofore described. In Figure 6, the sleeve 39 `is provided with an enlarged bottom portion ||3 and an upper reduced portion ||4 forming a shoulder ||6, The

central opening inthe cover 20-`isprovidedwith a "short downturned flange Y I8 and: `.the sleeve 30 is inserted through the openingY from: the vbottom thereof until the shoulder H6 engages the iiange ||8. The knob 38 is inserted-lover -the reduced portion `Hl! andthe upperl end of the latter is turned outwardly asgindicatedat |2|l to secure the Vknob in place -on the-cover. The central opening in the sleeve 30 is uniform in diameter throughout.

In Figure 6, the tube |88 extends through the sleeve 38 and out`- of the upper `end thereof and out of the knob. VThe `rod |84 extends through the tubel |89 and Vout of the upper yend ofA the latter. The enlarged portion |=|3 of the sleeve 38 ispro-vided with horizontal cut-eut portions siI-nilar vtothe cut-out portion-s H-D in the tubul'ar element 18. A spring |22fin the 'forni of a U is inserted in the cut-out portions. The spring |22 is biased-inwardly into 4v'substantial Vfriction engagement with the tube |88. Y 1- I Figure 7 shows a rmodication 'of4 grounds container. In this gure, the bottom closure element 4:6 is substantially the same as that of Figure 2. However, in the present instance', the reduced dimension portion 8L|` ofthe tubular element 18 terminates a short distance' above the dome' portion and considerably below the upper closure element. The upper closure element @E In Figure v'7 consistsof a downwardly embossed or concave main portion |24 having its'concave surface facing upwardlyl Surrounding the portion |26 is 1a, vertical bead |`26 Vand extending downwardly therefrom isV a surrounding wall |28- 'formed' inte'gral with the upper portion' |24. The central opening in the portion |24' is provided with 'a downwardly extending tubular element |38 permanently secured to the portion |24 in any con.- venientmanner. The tubular' portion "|30 extends through the tubular element '|8` down below the enlarged portion 8U of the latter. The outer diameter of the tubular portion |3i3 isv such as to provide substantial sealing engagementv with the inner surface of the reduced portion 85 so as to prevent the passage of coiee grounds or water therethrough. The tubular portion"|30 is provided with a struck-in lug |32' and a Vhorizontal cutout portion |34 for thel reception of the U-shaped spring I|'2 similarly to the tubular element "lilV in. Figure 2.

The tubular element |30 is. adapted to receive the vertical tube I llly andv rod |813 in the same manner as describedA in connection with` the previous embodiment. The top closure e1e'rnent46 in this instance- @Figure 7) which includes the top portion |2 and surrounding wall |28 as well as the tubularelement 1h38; is anA adaptation of the grounds container of a conventional percolator although inverted.

The grounds containers illustrated in Figure 7 may be employed withV either of the forms of cover illustrated in Figures 2fl and 6.

Use` and operation the outer y surface of 1 `space v6.6 under the grounds container.

the rodv '|04 extending through the lknoband Vcoffee grounds in cold water and placing the pot on the stove. When heatvis applied, it is eiec'- tive rst on that portion of the water at the bottomrof the vessel. The bottom closure element or casing 44 covers substantially all of the bottom of. the vessel and any vapors generated by the heat or heated water currents are trapped in the The -Vatpors and heated currents of water arising the water under the container causethe water to flow Vupwardly through the large holes 68 and 82, (Figures 1 to 7). As pointed out above, the large holes 68 and 82 are in elevated positions or at the top of the space 86. The coffee grounds exert pressure against the bottom closure element '44 and prevent substantial passage of water through the small holes 14. rlhe space between the enlarged portion 8|!.of the tubular element 18 and the :tube lim forms a trap elevated above the main space 66 under the container and vapors form pressure therein to force the water through the holes 82. I

The vapors and heated water currents which areV generated exert considerable upward pres- 4su-re on the grounds container andl would tend to lift the grounds container offof the bottom' of theY vessel if it were not for means preventing such action. Thespring H2V having a frictional engagement with the tube- Hl!!v exerts suinc-ie'nt pressure to hold the grounds container from upward movement on the tube |80. Frictional engagement between the cover and the vessel acts through` the tube lilo and retains the tube and grounds container atl the bottom of the vessel against the action of the pressure of thevapors and heated water currents. Whenrwater is forced through the open-ings 88 and 82, it'passes into thefgrounds in the container and then passesupwardiy and out through thel large holes 9'6 in the upper closure element 46. Water may also pass out through the holes 8l in the surrounding wall t8.:- r'he particular positioning of the holes 68 and 82 in the bottom element 44T together with the particularv positioning of the holes 81 and 96 .assures that water will pass in all directions through the coliee grounds. The waterthen passes into the body of the vessel andI returns d'ownvvardly,v around the grounds container and in through the notches 64 under the grounds container and recirculates.

Beeauseof the fact that vapors-and heated wa'- terl currents rise immediately upon the ap'plicaf tion of heatL water is circulated through th'e coffee grounds and the coffee begins to brew' immediately upon therapplication of heat. This is advantageous over previous types of coffee pots in which the water must be boiling before the brewing action takesl place; In the case when Water is boiling before brewing action takes` place, vaporsescape from the water and carry off much ofvr the flavor andf beverage value of the coifee'. In the present instance wherein brewing begins immediately uponthe application of heat, the brewing is substantially completed when the 'wai ter is brought up tol the' boiling point andl the escape of vapors isheld ata minimum withv con-- sequent saving in theY beveragev value: of the coiee;

Figures 84 9V- and 1l) illustrate the manner in which the grounds container is raised` out of the water. Figure Billu'strates the grounds container at thebottom of the vessel. When* the brewing;v processis' complete, the usen` grips the icontainer up. The tube is prevented from being raised by the cover which is frictionally held in the vessel. When the grounds container is elevated to the position of Figure 9, Vthe friction between the spring ||2 and the tube |00 retains the container at the top. The rod |04 is then released and drops to its original position. Y A The grounds container can be left in the coffee .pot and need not be taken out when coffee is served. i

.When the grounds container 42 is raised or elevated as just described, any dregs or small particles of coffee grounds that may be floating -in the water in the vessel are caught in the upper -closureelement 46 and carried out of the water. The coffee remaining is then clear and substantially without any noticeable solid particles. VThe action of raising the grounds container causes Water to be withdrawn out of the -container rapidly. The space 66 under the grounds container creates a partial vacuumdue to the raising action and the water is rapidly drawn through the grounds.

If desired, clear water may be poured in the Aupper closure elementll' for rinsing the grounds and carrying out the residual liquid coffee re- `tainedby the grounds.

Figure 6, together with Figures 11, 12 and 13, illustrate a means by which the grounds container can be lowered without removing the cover from the vessel. y To raise the` grounds container, Vthe user gripsthe upper end of the tube |00 with one hand and grips the rod |04 with the other. He raises the rod |04 and holds the tube |00 down. The grounds container is drawn upwardly as described above and retained in its elevated lposition by the spring ||2. The rod |04 can then be released and dropped.

When it is desired to lower the grounds container, the user grips the upper end of the tube |00 and raises it to the point where the pin |06 engages the lug |08. The user then forces the tube |00 downwardly which carries the grounds container to the bottom of the vessel. illustrates the device of this embodiment, in which the grounds container is at the bottom in the position it assumes when the coffee is brewing. Figure 12 illustrates the grounds container at the top of the vessel and the tube |00 initsoriginal position. Figure 13 illustrates the position of the parts when the tube |00 is raised. The user can then force the rod |00 downwardly, carrying the grounds container to the bottom of `the vessel. I

The spring. |22 may be stronger than the spring ||2, if desired, so that when the user raises the rod |04, the grounds container slides over the tube |00 and the tube |00 is prevented from rising upwardly through the cover. It is important to note that for complete and thorough brewing of coffee that there must be not only saturation of the grounds but also circulation. Water must reach al1 parts of the grounds in the container and the water must move therethrough to carry the beverage value from the grounds. The positioning of the holes and perforations in the various elements making up the container has been carefully done to assure that all portions of the grounds are affected by the water.v For example, if a small quantity of coffee is desired to be made and the water in the vessel does not reach the top of the grounds container, the circulating Water passing through the holes in the bottom closure element will pass into the 1 4 2.344.336

Figure 11 grounds which do not fully i111 the container' and pass out through the holes 81 in the surrounding wall 48.

Since the heat applied during the brewing operation is concentrated on that small quantity of Water contained under the grounds container, circulation begins almost immediately and the brewing action is rapid. The flavor is extracted from theY coffee grounds by the time the total quantity of water is brought t0 the boiling point.

Due to the fact that the brewing action commences immediately upon the application of heat and that it is complete when the water is brought up to the boiling point, greater efficiency is obtained. There is less loss of flavor from vapors which would escape if the water continued to boil. As a result, it is possible to obtain greater amounts of palatable beverage from a given amount of grounds.

VSome changes may be made in the construction and arrangements of the parts of my coffee pot without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claim such modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents as may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

A coffee pot comprising, in combination, a vessel, a friction held cover for the vessel, said cover having a tubular opening therethrough, a perforated grounds container adapted to rest on the bottom of the vessel, said grounds container having a vertical tubular opening therethrough,a vertical tube positioned in the tubular opening in said grounds container and extending from the bottom of the vessel. through the tubular opening in the cover and having a portion extending above the latter tubular opening, said grounds container being slidable vertically on said tube, the wall forming the tubular opening in said grounds container having lateral cut-out portions, spring means in said cut-out portions biased into friction engagement with said tube, the wall forming the tubular'opening in the cover having lateral cut-out portions, spring means in said Vlast-named cut-out portions biased into friction engagement with said tube, said tube having a slot extending from the top thereof to a point above the bottom of the tubular opening in said grounds container, a rod slidable in said tube, said rod having a lateral projection extending into said slot, said projection having operable engagement with said grounds container, the upper end of said rod extending above the upper end of said tube when said rod is in its lowermost position in said tube.

EMMETT B. MOORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 158,532 Shattuck Jan. 5, 1875 208,391 Hinkle Sept. 24, 1878 523,656 Carpenter July 31, 1894 645,277 Towville Mar. 13, 1900 786,666 McKenzie Apr. 4, 1905 793,655 Haley July 4, 1905 902,111 Robinson Oct. 27, 1908 1,127,780 Konar Feb. 9, 1915 ,1,579,636 Borgnis Apr. 6, 1926 2,050,303 Forshee Aug. 11, 1936 2,169,430 Reinholy Aug. 15, 1939 Berger Mar. 14, 1944 

